Riojasaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, about 225 to 210 million years ago. It was an early relative of the giant sauropods that appeared later in the Jurassic.

Where was Riojasaurus discovered?

Riojasaurus fossils were discovered in the La Rioja Province of Argentina. It is one of the best-known early sauropodomorphs from South America and provides key evidence of early dinosaur evolution.

When did Riojasaurus live?

Riojasaurus lived during the Late Triassic period, around 225 to 210 million years ago, a time when dinosaurs were just beginning to diversify across the continents.

Why is Riojasaurus important?

Riojasaurus is important because it is one of the earliest known large herbivorous dinosaurs, showing early adaptations that would later characterize the giant sauropods of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

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Dinosaurs: Riojasaurus (Rioja Lizard)

Q: What does the name Riojasaurus mean?

The name Riojasaurus means 'Rioja lizard,' named after the La Rioja Province in Argentina where its fossils were first found.

Q: How big was Riojasaurus?

Riojasaurus grew to about 10 meters (33 feet) in length and weighed up to 4 metric tons. It had a long neck, a bulky body, and a long tail typical of early sauropodomorph dinosaurs.

Q: What did Riojasaurus eat?

Riojasaurus was an herbivore that fed on a variety of vegetation, including ferns and cycads. Its leaf-shaped teeth and long neck helped it reach and strip plants efficiently.

Last updated: 19th Mar 2024

What is a Riojasaurus?

Riojasaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic Period, around 210 million years ago, in what is now Argentina. It was one of the earliest long-necked dinosaurs, called sauropodomorphs. Riojasaurus is famous for its long neck and tail, four sturdy legs, and gentle nature. Although not as huge as the later sauropods, it was still impressive in size for its time!

How big was Riojasaurus?

Riojasaurus could grow up to 10 metres (33 feet) long. It stood about 2 metres (6.5 feet) tall at the hips and is estimated to have weighed between 3 and 4 tonnes (about as much as a large rhinoceros). Its long neck helped it reach plants high up and low to the ground.

Appearance

Riojasaurus had a small head, long neck and tail, a barrel-shaped body, and four thick, pillar-like legs. Unlike some early relatives that walked on two legs, Riojasaurus walked on all fours, but its legs were still flexible and strong. It had five fingers on each hand and four toes on each foot, each ending with a claw. Its teeth were flat and leaf-shaped, adapted for stripping and chewing plants.

A hyperrealistic image of a Riojasaurus, a primitive sauropod dinosaur, walking through a warm, forested floodplain with low-lying ferns, shrubs, and trees like cycads.

Riojasaurus

Generative AI Notiﬁcation: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.

What did Riojasaurus eat?

Riojasaurus was a herbivore, which means it ate plants. Its leaf-shaped teeth were perfect for chewing tough vegetation, such as ferns and cycads. Scientists think it may have used its long neck to browse on a variety of plants at different heights, possibly feeding in groups for safety.

Where did Riojasaurus live?

Fossils of Riojasaurus have been found in the La Rioja Province of Argentina. During the Triassic, this region was a warm, lush landscape with rivers, forests, and many other dinosaurs and reptiles.

Realistic rendering of a Riojasaurus dinosaur on a white background.

Riojasaurus size compared to an adult human.

Riojasaurus Facts

Pronounced: ree-oh-ha-SORE-us

Name Means: "Rioja lizard" (named after the La Rioja Province in Argentina where it was discovered)

Length: up to 10 m (33 feet)

Height: about 2 m (6.5 feet) at the hips

Weight: 3,000–4,000 kilograms (3–4 tonnes)

Diet: Herbivore (plants)

Time: Late Triassic (about 210 million years ago)

Fossils Found: South America (Argentina)

Intersting Facts

Early Giant: Riojasaurus was one of the first very large dinosaurs, paving the way for the even bigger sauropods that came later.
Ancient Age: It lived around 210 million years ago, making it much older than famous dinosaurs like T. rex and Stegosaurus.
Four-Legged Walker: Unlike many early plant-eaters, Riojasaurus always walked on all fours.
Fossil Finds: Only a few skeletons of Riojasaurus have been discovered, all in Argentina.
Neighbour Dinosaurs: Riojasaurus shared its world with early meat-eating dinosaurs like Herrerasaurus and other ancient reptiles.

Which family of dinosaurs did Riojasaurus belong to?

Riojasaurus was part of the Riojasauridae family, a group of early sauropodomorph dinosaurs. These dinosaurs were the ancestors of the giant, long-necked sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus that appeared later in the Jurassic Period.

Riojasaurus FAQ

Q1: What is a Riojasaurus?

A1: Riojasaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic Period, around 210 million years ago, in what is now Argentina.

Q2: What does Riojasaurus mean?

A2: Riojasaurus means "Rioja lizard", named after the La Rioja region in Argentina where it was first found.

Q3: Was Riojasaurus a carnivore?

A3: No, Riojasaurus was a plant-eater (herbivore).

Q4: How long was Riojasaurus?

A4: Riojasaurus was about 10 metres (33 feet) long.

Q5: Did Riojasaurus have a long neck?

A5: Yes, Riojasaurus had a long, flexible neck to reach different plants.

Q6: Where Riojasaurus it live?

A6: Riojasaurus lived in what is now Argentina, South America.

Q7: Was Riojasaurus fast?

A7: No, Riojasaurus moved slowly on four legs.

Q8: Did Riojasaurus live in herds?

A8: Scientists think Riojasaurus may have lived in groups for protection and socialising.

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